Greenland - What a Wonderful World

Facts about holidaying
in Greenland (part 9/10)

Practical Information

Updated February 1996


This information is provided by Greenland Tourism a/s, the official tourist board of Greenland

Conditions of entry
Import restrictions
Export restrictions
Foreign currency
Shopping
Opening hours
"The Board"
Entertainments
Bank holidays
National Day
Local festive days
Photography
Electricity
Vaccinations
Post and telephones, etc.

Conditions of entry

Passport and visa regulations for Greenland are similar to the current rules applicable to Denmark. However, a special permit ("entry approval") is needed for transit through Thule Air Base/Pituffik. This permit can be applied for through the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs or through the Danish embassies abroad. It is recommended to apply well in advance of any planned trip to Greenland. Persons arriving without the necessary permits run the risk of being sent back to Copenhagen.

Conditions of entry outside populated areas:
Anyone traveling to Greenland to go mountain-climbing or ascend glaciers in isolated areas, cross the ice-sheet or undertake any other similar sporting activity, or wishing to pay a visit to Greenland National Park must apply for a permit well in advance of their departure from:

Dansk Polarcenter
(Danish Polar Center)
Strandgade 100 H
DK-1401 Copenhagen K
Tel.: +45 32 88 01 00
Fax: +45 32 88 01 01

If the Danish Polar Center considers the notified expedition to be unsafe, it may issue a ban on it.

If it is wished to undertake scientific studies, the Danish Polar Center must also be contacted, even if the studies do not have the nature of expeditions.

The Commission for Scientific Research in Greenland has published a small folder in Danish and English for Greenland expeditions and for stays in the National Park. The folder can be requested from the Danish Polar Center.

Import restrictions

Greenland is regarded as being overseas for Danish customs purposes. Information about what can be brought into Greenland tax-free is available at airports. Various articles for personal use can be imported, but there is a ban on the import of guns, pistols, fully and semi-automatic weapons, narcotics and live animals, including domestic pets and birds of any kind. Guide dogs for the blind are an exception.

Travel from Greenland to Denmark is subject to the general rules governing imports from a non-EC country.


Export restrictions

Certain countries have introduced a ban on products originating from Greenland: for instance, sealskin products, objects made of whale tooth/tusk and so on. For the sake of the customs authorities in your home country, you will need in certain cases to bring along a certificate confirming that the relevant products are not made of material from an endangered species. Such certificates are obtainable from shops and tourist offices, where further information can also be had about specific restrictions applicable in various countries.

Foreign currency

Danish coins and notes are valid currency in Greenland, and there are no restrictions with regard to importing and exporting cash. Cheques drawn on Danish banks or savings banks as well as Eurocheques can be cashed at Greenlandic banks, which will also exchange common currencies, traveler's cheques and so on. Postal cheques can be cashed at all post offices. Use of credit cards is still restricted to the major towns and most hotels. Banks are represented in all towns.

At Kangerlussuaq Airport there is no bank service, while at Narsarsuaq Airport the most common currencies can be exchanged at the airport hotel.

Shopping

The range of goods available in Greenland differs greatly from town to town and in the case of North and East Greenland also depends on the time of year. Generally speaking, the range available in larger towns is much the same as that available in smaller towns of Scandinavia, though prices do vary. For example, fruit and vegetables are expensive while dairy produce is cheap. Prices are generally on a par with those in Scandinavia.

In most towns, there are opportunities to buy items of Greenlandic homecraft. The most common homecraft products are objects carved from bone and reindeer antler (jewelry and tupilaks, etc.) and soapstone, hidework, pearlwork, Greenlandic stones shaped into jewelry, models of Greenlandic hunting implements and so on.

Souvenirs can generally be bought in the local shops, at the tourist office, at the Seamen's Home, at hotels, privately and in some smaller towns at the post office. There is no haggling or bargaining over prices. When buying hides or hide products, always make sure the skins are tanned. Untreated Greenlandic hides will not keep in the European climate.

Opening hours

Most shops are open from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., Monday to Thursday, from 10 to 6 on Fridays and 9 to 1 on Saturdays. However, many smaller grocery shops and kiosks will be open longer on weekdays as well as all weekend.

"The Board"

"The Board" is the local expression for the open meat and fish market to be found in all towns of Greenland. Here, you can buy the day's harvest: seal, whale, musk, reindeer, fish and berries - straight from the fishers, hunters and pickers! The Board, whose Greenlandic name is Kalaaliaraq ("The Little Greenlander") is usually located down at the port.

Entertainments

There are no cinemas in Greenland, but films are occasionally shown at the community center or library. All showings are generally advertised in the local paper of the relevant town and posted on the town notice boards.

In most major towns, there are restaurants and "pubs". The price level of an average 2 to 3-course menu at a restaurant starts from approx. US $25.

The cost of alcoholic beverages in restaurants and pubs is higher. E.g., a beer costs approx. US $6 and a bottle of wine upwards of about US $40. Prices include tips.

The pubs are open to people over 18 years of age only. In some places there is a discotheque, while in others there are live bands.


Bank holidays

Festivals and feasts are observed and many people go to church.

On the nights of Christmas and New Year, the young people follow the ancient custom of singing carols outside the houses, after which they are invited in for a bite to eat and a drop to drink.

On January 6th - "Mitaartut" in Greenlandic - the children go round in disguise, generally dressed up as rag witches who are allowed only to dance and make noises. When they knock on a door, they are invited inside.

Bank holidays: January 1st, January 6th, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, "Great Prayer Day" (a Danish public holiday falling on the fourth Friday after Easter), Whit Monday, and December 24th, 25th, 26th and 31st.



National Day

The Greenlandic National Day is June 21st and is called "Ullortuneq", meaning "The Longest Day". The day is celebrated with cultural activities, entertainment, shows and communal outdoor eating.

The national day is also the official flag day, when the Greenlandic flag, first introduced on June 21st 1985 flutters all across the country. The colors of the flag are red and white, the red semicircle symbolizing the midnight sun and the white surface the ice.

Local festive days

In North Greenland, the return of the sun is celebrated after the long polar night. This often takes the form of the entire population going up to a local viewing point to gaze out across the horizon. In Ilulissat, for example, this takes place on around January 13th.

At Easter, dog-sled racing is arranged in several North Greenlandic towns.

In South Greenland, a meeting is held every summer with sheep-shearing, racing, and so on. In addition, cultural events are held in several towns, as well as jubilees, music festivals, special exhibitions and similar events during the summer.

Contact the local tourist office for additional information.

Photography

A UV or skylight filter and sunshade or lens hood should always be used. During the winter, cameras must be polarized. Film can be bought in Greenland, but it is advisable to bring along your own film in the case of special brands.

Electricity

Greenland has a 220 volt power supply like Europe. In villages and on sheep-farming stations, however, you may find yourself staying at a place without electricity or with power for part of the day or night only.

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are required for traveling to Greenland.

Post and telephones, etc.

All towns have a post office and telegraph station at which telefaxes can also be received and sent. Similarly, telephone calls can be made in the villages from the local KNI office, which will often be sent via ship's radio.


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